2017-03-15 Wed

Akragas was the second richest Greek state in Sicily after Syracuse. It was known for its grand structures and architecture. Akragas coins featured Zeus’ standing eagle on the obverse and a crab on the reverse for almost 100 years. After that, as societies and standard of living evolved, Akragas and its neighbouring cities started competing with each other in the field of coinage.

Around 415 BCE, intricate designs were created by the best Sicilian artists. This fractional silver obol is one of the smallest ones but features such immaculate details that they reflect the heights of art and perfection. The master engraver took care of producing larger denomination coinages of Akragas as designs resemble the style of engraving seen on Agrigentum dekadrachm and Skylla tetradrachm.

The obverse features one eagle opening its wings and the other raising its head as they attack a hare. The picture realistically represents a scene from Agamemnon, by the Greek playwright Aeschylus. The king of Mycenae Agamemnon and the king of Sparta Menelaus were represented as two eagles eating a pregnant hare indicating the destruction of Troy.

The reverse features a fresh-water crab representing the Akragas river and an emblem with a huge ocean perch. This obol was probably a special issue as all known examples come from a single pair of dies. It could also have been a commemorative coin to highlight their artistic and military strength.

Later though, the wealth of Akragas was not enough to save them after the Carthaginians looted the city in 406 BCE, putting an end to their lovely coinage!